Does a 13D Fire Sprinkler Contractor in Florida Need a Class D License to Install Automist in One- and Two-Family Dwellings?

No additional license is required. If a contractor is already licensed to install NFPA 13D fire sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings in Florida under a Class II license, they are also qualified to install Automist when used as a code-compliant substitute for a 13D system.

Class II Licensing Covers Automist in 13D-Type Applications

Under Florida Statutes §633.102(9), a Class II license authorizes contractors to:

"Contract for the execution of contracts requiring the layout, fabrication, installation, inspection, alteration, repair, and service of water-based fire protection systems for one- and two-family dwellings, as defined in NFPA 13D..."

If Automist is being installed as an alternative to an NFPA 13D sprinkler system in these same occupancies, no upgrade to a Class A, B, or D license is necessary.

What About Automist's Pre-Engineered Design?

Automist is classified as a pre-engineered system under NFPA 750, but its installation still requires:

A working plan specific to the layout of the property
Site-specific nozzle placement based on obstruction and fire load
Compliance with NFPA 750 and local AHJ requirements

The [Automist DIOM manual (v1.1)] confirms that while the system is pre-engineered in terms of:

Piping limitations,
Flow rates, and
Component configuration,

…the final layout still mirrors the process of designing a 13D system, particularly when it comes to head location and hydraulic planning.

Why Class D Is Not Required — Or Appropriate?

A Class D license in Florida is only for fully pre-engineered suppression systems such as:

Commercial kitchen hoods
Spray booths
Vehicle engine bays

These systems have no field design flexibility and follow rigid, pre-approved installation templates. Since Automist requires custom layout and zoning decisions—even within pre-defined limits—it does not fall under Class D scope.

But this distinction is academic: a Class II license already exceeds the requirements for Automist in one- and two-family homes.

Licensing Summary Table

Licence Class	Scope	Required to Install 13D?	Required to Install Automist (13D substitute)?
Class II	NFPA 13D water-based systems in 1–2 family dwellings	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Class D	Only pre-engineered, no-design systems (e.g., hoods)	❌ No	❌ Not appropriate
Class A/B	Engineered and commercial systems	❌ Unqualified	❌ Not required in this context

Code References

Florida Statutes §633.102 – Definitions
Florida Statutes §633.304 – Fire Protection Licensing
NFPA 13D – Sprinkler systems for dwellings
NFPA 750 – Water mist systems
Automist DIOM Manual (v1.1) – Plumis installation and design guide

Conclusion

If you are already a licensed 13D contractor in Florida (Class II license), you do not need any additional licensing to install Automist in one- or two-family dwellings.

Automist is used in the same code-defined context and occupancy, and your license covers the engineering oversight and installation responsibilities involved.